The Demons are chasing their second premiership in three years in 2023, eager to regain the premiership cup after a 2022 semi-final elimination.
Melbourne had a pretty busy off-season following the conclusion of the 2022 season, acquiring some big-name talent.
The biggest name, former Pie and two-time All-Australian Brodie Grundy, made the move to the Demons after ten seasons at Collingwood. Lachie Hunter and Josh Schache also joined the club, as did some young talent through the draft.
Already having a side full of talent, with the likes of Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Angus Brayshaw lining up, just to name a few, the Demons are primed to make another run at premiership glory.
However, teams can always get better. Though the Demons entered the season as genuine premiership contenders, we've compiled a list of the club's 'ideal' trade targets, irrespective of current contracts or salaries, that would be a perfect fit for the club.
The Demons have incredible midfield depth, as they do around the ground, but had issues last season over some inside 50 entries.
A highly decorated Giant, Kelly had a great 2022 season, averaging 26.7 disposals and 4.8 tackles a game, after the 2021 season saw him claim a second best and fairest. The 28-year-old has been a permanent feature in the expansion side since his debut in 2018, having played 177 games across his career.
The former co-captain led the Giants in the Brownlow count last season, and remains an important leadership figure at the club despite not being a co-captain in 2023.
While the Melbourne midfield is full of elite talent with few holes that need plugging, a player like Kelly is always desired by many.
Young has been predicted by many pundits to have a standout 2023, his fourth season in the competition. The 21-year-old finished in the top ten in Fremantle's best and fairest count last season, managing a career-best 22 games played.
The Demons already have one of the best defences in the competition, led by defensive pillars Steven May and Jake Lever, but the emerging talent could complement the duo off half-back for years to come.
Aside from his on-field talent, the 2019 no.7 pick is an emerging leader at the Dockers, named in the leadership group this season. Demons gun Angus Brayshaw has thrived off half-back but may look for more midfield minutes as his career progresses, as has the injured Christian Salem, who is one of the best when at his best, but with both of those stars at 27, the experienced youth of Young would be a solid long-term investment for the club.
The developing young talent of King is the envy of many around the competition and would greatly benefit the Demons.
Melbourne's forward line has seemingly been the side's Achilles heel recently, with their backline and midfield stacked with talent. Up forward, the tall duo of Ben Brown and Tom McDonald is solid, with the Brown kicking four goals in Round 1, while the ruck combo of Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy also offers targets inside 50.
The inclusion of King though would inject some much-needed young talent up forward, a target to potentially complement Jacob van Rooyen for much of the next decade.
King didn't play a game in 2022 after suffering an ACL injury, but has been on a solid upward trajectory since his debut in 2019, kicking 90 goals from 54 games.
While Whitfield found himself thrown around the ground for much of what was an up-and-down season for the Giants, the former number one draft pick looks most at home at half-back.
The versatile 28-year-old could feature for the Demons in the middle of the ground or in the backline, depending on the side's needs, having also spent time in 2022 in attack.
Across his decade in the game, the Giant has had a few injury setbacks and outside of a rather tame 2022, has proved his worth as a two-time best and fairest winner and All-Australian.
Despite the all-round depth in the current Melbourne squad, in his best form, Whitfield is a valuable player that can be used in several positions, adding even more depth to his premiership-hunting side.
